Coronilla emerus
| Coronilla emerus | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 9' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Coronilla emerus (common name: scorpion senna)
Propagation: Seed - scarify and then pre-soak the seed for 1 - 2 hours in warm water[1]. A period of cold stratification is also said to be helpful[2]. Sow the seed in spring in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place in 4 - 6 weeks at 15°c[1]. Pot up the seedlings as soon as possible into individual pots and plant them out in the following spring[1].
Cuttings of greenwood, June in a frame with bottom heat[3].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[3].
Cuttings of nearly mature side shoots, firm at the base and 7 - 10cm long with a heel, October/November in a frame. Plants are well rooted after 12 months. Good percentage[4].
Cultivation: Succeeds in a sunny position in most well-drained soils[5], preferring a moderately rich loamy soil[3][6][2].
An easily grown plant[3], it is hardy to about -20°c[5] if it is sheltered from cold winds[2].
Plants can be pruned almost back to the base if required, they usually resprout freely[2].
The flowers are sweetly scented[7].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[2].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].
Range: C. and S. Europe to N. Africa.
Habitat: Thin woodland and rocky places in limestone hills[3][8].
Medicinal: The plant is cardiac and diuretic[9].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although no mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, some members of the genus are poisonous[10][11][12][13] and so some caution is advised.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Bird, Alfred. Growing from Seed Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan, 1990.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press, 1980.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ Stary, Frantisek. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn, 1983.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.